Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary

Serves as a first-level supervisor for a team of MSTs, planning and directing work and providing technical guidance. Manages attendance, leave, and vacation schedules; identifies staffing and workload needs; and recommends promotions, reassignments, recognition, retention, or release of probationary employees. Conducts corrective interviews, refers disciplinary matters, resolves informal complaints, and works with union representatives on personnel issues.

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Duties

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Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

This is a Supervisory position in Sterile Processing Service as a Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing Technician). In this position, the incumbent will provide supervision and leadership over Sterile Processing Technicians active in sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical Device decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. The term "supply item" as used in this functional statement refers to disposable and reusable items for patient care including instrumentation (scissors, forceps, retractors, etc.), reusable medical device (suction machines infusion pumps, etc.), surgical trays and sets and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the Preparation and Decontamination areas of Sterile Processing Service.

The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position.

The work involves the provision of sterile medical and surgical instruments, supplies, equipment and information to Surgery, the wards and clinics located throughout the Medical Center and associated facilities. The work product and timeliness with which it is provided directly affects patient care throughout VAPORHCS and contributes to quality patient care.

Receives all reusable, contaminated instrumentation and devices directly from all patient care areas, to include the OR Suites, Endoscopy labs, Dental Services, specialty clinics and patient wards. Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the removal of all soil, blood, tissue fragments, bone, body fluids and other gross contaminants by soaking and hand washing prior to placing into ultrasonic cleaners and/or washer/disinfectors. Disassembles and reassembles equipment and instruments where the internal parts may become contaminated. Operates various kinds of equipment such as ultrasonic, fiber-optic and laparoscopic instrument cleaners; washer-sterilizers/decontaminators, autoclaves, plasma and gas sterilizers and associated devices. Processes a wide array of semi-critical RMD to including by not limited to various and diverse endoscopes and probes used in endoscopy, bronchoscopy, imagine, urology, ENT, and other specialty clinics.

Prepares a full range of reusable medical/surgical supplies and devices used throughout the Medical Center. Removes trays of instruments from reprocessing equipment; inspects items to be sure treat gross contamination has been removed and that instruments function properly. Sorts out the instruments by size and type and reassembles trays and sets based on recognition of key items or inventory needs. Complex sets include those used in organ transplants, major orthopedic, vascular and cardiac, and cutting-edge neurosurgery. Technicians must ensure all instruments are clean, functioning correctly and places in the set in a pre-determined organization based on the type of sets. Uses car in packing to protect points, cutting edges, and delicate instruments and to insure effective penetration of sterilizing medium.

• Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.
• Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RMD.
• Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday 07:00am-3:30pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.).

Experience and/or Education:

1. Experience . Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work.

OR

2. Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position.

OR

3. Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Certification. None.

GRADE DETERMINATONS.

GS-8 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing).

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to manage, interact, and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.

2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.

3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME.

4. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); pushing (up to 2 hours); reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 2 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 1 hour); both legs required; the ability to distinguish basic colors; and the ability to distinguish shades of colors.

Environmental Factors:

The work may be outside and inside; there may be exposure to excessive heat and cold; constant noise; slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working around machinery with moving parts; working with hands in water; and working alone.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here:

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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